|
Varalakshmi Vratam is celebrated by the Hindus
Varalakshmi Vratam is celebrated in the month of Aadi according to Tamil calendar
Significance
This is one of the most important festivals of Hindu religion this goes by its name 'Varalakshmi vrata'. This festival is celebrated on the last Friday of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadha this is also called as Aadi. There are altogether 8 energies that are familiar and are well known as Sri, Saraswati, Santi, Kirti Tushti, Bhu, Priti and Pushti. One single force is called as Lakshmi and all the 8 forces are called as Ashta lakshmis. Lord Vishnu is also known as the Ashta lakshmis padhi, this is equivalent to asylum for eight Lakshmis.
Legends say that this is a Puja that was manifest by Lord Parameswara to be performed by his wife Parvati to ask for success and happiness of her family. Therefore it was passed on to the married woman who wanted boon for wealth, knowledge and health of the entire family. This festival is celebrated mainly in south India with a strong dedication.
Celebration of Varalakshmi Vratam
This Puja is conducted by the married women to get blessing of the Mahalakshmi, she is the consort of Lord Vishnu and also considered as the idol of prosperity and wealth. Women clean their houses and decorate their house with flowers, paint their house. They also decorated the front corridor with huge and beautiful rangoli on the final day of Varalakshmi Vratam. After this women have bath and get dressed in colorful clothes and jewelers. Then they start the process for Vrata Puja, they first arrange the kalash, this kalash is then filled with water and rice.
These specify prosperity and then are covered with mango and betel leaves. A coconut smeared with turmeric and decorated with a cloth is kept on the kalash. This kalash is decorated with vermillion on it and some decorate it with jewelery so that it appears more beautiful and attractive. This decorated kalash is placed on a plate that is filled with rice. Main Puja starts by first worshipping Lord Ganesh as he is considered as the one who drives all the evil forces and obstacles away. Later they invoke goddess Mahalakshmi into the kalash, and then they worship couple of torans. One end of the toram is tied to kalash and the other end is tied to the hand wrist of goddess Mahalakshmi. They offer variety of delicious dishes that includes both sweet and savories. They invite other married women and consider her as Goddess Varalakshmi, they sings hymns together and offer sweets to the women.
Traditional food
Traditional food prepared on this day is very special as this food is offered to goddess Mahalakshmi. The dishes made are as mamidiikaya pappu, vankaya menthi, bachalikoora ava rasam, pulihora, boorelu, paravannam, pulagam, tene garelu, karam garelu and rava ladoo. Women prepare these dishes with lots of devotion and love for the goddess Mahalakshmi. Women also decorate the idol of goddess Mahalakshmi.
On this auspicious day women gather at one place sings song praising goddess Mahalakshmi and distribute sweets to the women. This festival is celebrated in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Karnataka and in some parts of Orissa and Maharashtra. This festival is considered fortunate for the young girls and for the married women.
| 